Making a computer

[Borkis]

I am looking to build a pc, and hope i followed all the rules in asking

I have 1000-1200 to spend, and know very little about computers. The main thing i want the computer for is games, and other that then i really do not care if it is intel or amd, nvidia or ati. The parts i need are a Motherboard, CPU, Heatsink, memory, and a video card since i have everything else that would be needed.

I will be buying my parts in Canada, so any place to get good deals in canada would be great. I would also plan on overclocking the computer if there was a safe and easy way to do it

Thanks for the help

 

[AstroManLuca]

Newegg.ca is a good place to look for parts.

Also check out the sticky for guides: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2072469&enterthread=y

It's not really that hard. You should have fun. I know I enjoyed building my first PC! If you want more specific suggestions on parts, check out the other sticky: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2090214&enterthread=y

 

[Harvey]

Hi, and welcome to the forums.

Your question, as posed, is a bit vague. Several factors contribute to obtaining the overall performance you want. I would suggest reading various threads on the forums and articles on the main page and on other sites and starting a list of CPU's, motherboards, vid cards, etc. that others are using successfully to achieve the performance you want.

Unless you have an unlimited buget, once you have a list of candidate parts, you can start to make decisions based on that other nagging factor most of us face... cost. What you learn in building the list will help to give you an eye for bargains that will get you more and better hardware for less money.

 

[Krynj]

What kind of PSU do you have? I'd consider a new one if you're making major upgrades. Also, what kind of case do you currently have? Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a nice 150GB VelociRaptor, either. And what size monitor do you have? If it's a smaller monitor, some money can be saved by going with a 512 card instead of a 1gb.

Less than 22 inch, I'd say you'll be fine with 2 512 4870's in Crossfire.

You'll have to log into NewEgg to see the wishlist.

https://secure.newegg.com/Wish...etail.aspx?ID=14896447

 

[bruceb]

You need to say what kind of games you will play, as some require specific minimum system specs in order to run.
You also need to say what kind of video card you have or are planning to use.
You need to tell us if the OS will be 32 or 64 bit and if XP or Vista
You need to tell us type of hard drive you currently have (IDE or SATA) if you plan to reuse it.
You also need to tell us if you will be using a Joystick, as some of them require a Game Port
We also need to know how much RAM you are planning on using .. 32 bit OS only sees about 3GB

 

[CalvinHobbes]

I would recommend buying from http://www.newegg.ca/
Try and find someone with experience to help you the first time you attempt a build. It's not difficult but it's not simple for a first time builder.

I would take a look at:
Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16813128358
RAM:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16820231145

CPU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16819115054
or
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16819115041

Video:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16814102801
or
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16814150330

 

[krnmastersgt]

Originally posted by: FetusCakeMix
What kind of PSU do you have? I'd consider a new one if you're making major upgrades. Also, what kind of case do you currently have? Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a nice 150GB VelociRaptor, either. And what size monitor do you have? If it's a smaller monitor, some money can be saved by going with a 512 card instead of a 1gb.

Less than 22 inch, I'd say you'll be fine with 2 512 4870's in Crossfire.

You'll have to log into NewEgg to see the wishlist.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14896447">https://secure.newegg.com/W......l.aspx?ID=14896447</a>

Is that a Newegg Canada wishlist? I dislike logging my NE account when I'm at school so I can't really check.

To the OP: I just put together a build for a friend of mine in Vancouver, when I get home I'll post up the links to the parts (it was under 900 for the parts you wanted and games pretty well). Also if you want to use your full budget I could upgrade choice parts.

 

[Krynj]

Err, no, it's not. I totally spaced on the "I'm in Canada" bit in his post.

My bad.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Does NE-CAN do the email hot deals ??

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz: $174
BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX: $138

or better yet

Phenom II 940 / Foxconn 790FX combo deal: $430 ($396 AR)

Either of these CPUs will OC nicely by simply increasing the CPU multiplier - at stock volts you are looking at 3.3-3.4GHz. The stock AMD HSF is pretty good to start.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066: $69

or

You could snag a 2x2Gb kit of DDR2 800 with 4-4-4-12 timings for about the same price - Always check the motherboard website for tested memory modules - it's a good habit to get into.


Depending upon your gaming resolution one or two of these would be really sweet

 

[TidusZ]

As a fellow Canadian I'd recommend crossing out Newegg.ca as a website for parts, its horrendously overpriced. Ncix, Tigerdirect, DirectCanada, those are your best bets. I usually order through Ncix and pricematch from the other two.

 

[Borkis]

I was thinking of going with:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR
G.Skill HK 2 x 2GB
Sapphire Radeon 4870 X2

This is what my friend said would be good, any second opinions? Last time i bought a video card i was told nvidia is better then ati, is that true?
Also, there is no specific game that i am looking to play, but i do want it to be able to play modern games at high settings.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: Borkis
i was told nvidia is better then ati, is that true?

LOL, if only life were that simple. And green is better than red?